Vaginal syringe apparatus



Jlme 1959 B. M. PHILIPS ,888, 25

VAGINAL SYRINGE APPARATUS Filed Nov. 12, 1957 INVENTOR. Jere/2w] UBY VAGINAL SYRINGE APPARATUS Berenice M. Philips, Chicago, Ill.

Application November 12, 1957, Serial No. 695,886

'7 Claims. (Cl. 128-251) The present invention relates to'vaginal syringes, particularly to a vaginal syringe assembly of the type having liquid conveyor tube means for conducting a liquid to the vaginal canal and a hollow liquid discharging shell or body made, for example, of a glazed ceramic material, and surrounding the end portion of the liquid conveyor tube means. Usually, the above-mentioned hollow body has a stem portion which'is inserted into the end portion of the vaginal canal, and an enlarged head portion adapted to be held by the user during the douching operation. The head portion has an end wall provided with a central hole through which said conveyor tube means passes into the hollow interior of the body and through the stem portion thereof. A discharge spout extends from the end wall for discharging the fluid in the vaginal canal through a pathway within the hollow body.

The present invention relates to an improvement in the head portion of the hollow liquid discharging body which enables it to be more comfortably and securely held during the douching operation.

In accordance with the invention, the end closure wall is provided with a preferable elongated projecting portion whose longitudinal axis extends substantially transversely to a line intersecting the central portion thereof and said discharge spout. Preferably, the elongated projecting portion is located on one side of the central hole of the end wall and the discharge spout is located on the other side thereof. The spacing between the elongated projecting portion and the discharge spout is such that the projecting portion can be comfortably positioned between the first two fingers of the users hand while the little finger thereof is positioned over the end of the discharge spout. The spout is thus covered during the conveying of douching fluid to the vaginal canal to prevent the immediate rapid discharge of the fluid therefrom. When draining is desired, the little finger is removed from the discharge spout and the liquid allowed to spill into a toilet bowl or the like.

The elongated projecting portion provides a means for gripping the head portion of the hollow tube or shell securely and comfortably, and also, in conjunction with the discharge spout, provides a support for standing the hollow body on edge during the drying of the glaze applied to the ceramic body during its fabrication.

The various features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon making reference to the specification, claims and drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the various components making up a syringe assembly including the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the hol low liquid discharging body forming part of the syringe assembly in Fig. 1 and to which the present invention deals;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the hollow body of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the hollow 2,888,925, Patented June 2, 1959 2 body while being held by the user in a douchin-g position; and

Fig. 5 is a view of the hollow body of the invention during the fabrication thereof, showing the manner in which the head portion of the body is elevated from a support surface during the hardening of the glaze applied thereto.

Referring now especially to Fig. 1, the syringe equipment there shown includes a bag 2 for holding a supply of the liquid to be sprayed into the vaginal canal, liquidconveying tube means 4 comprising a piece of rubber tubing 6 extending from the bottom of the bag 2 and a discharge nozzle 8 having spray holes 11 and made preferably of rubber or other similar material connected to the end of the tubing 6, and a hollow shell or body 10 adapted to carry the douche fluid from the vaginal canal or the like.

As above-indicated, the present invention relates to the construction of the hollow body 10. The body 10 is made of a colored glazed ceramic material and includes a tapered stem portion 12 of a size such that the narrow end 14 thereof can be inserted into the end portion of the vaginal canal. The wide end of the stem portion 12 flares outwardly to form a radially outwardly extending head portion 16 having an end closure wall 18 which joins the wide end of the stem portion 12 at a sharp angle. The perimeter of the head portion 16 has a generally elongated oval shape and the end closure wall thereof has a rounded or outwardly bowed shape when viewed in longitudinal or axial section.

The stem and head portion of the body 10 define a cavity 20 having the same general shape as the outer surface of the body 10. The cavity 20 communicates with the outside of the shell through a pair of axially alined holes 22 and 24 respectively formed in the center of the end closure wall 18 and the end of the stem portion 12. The hole 22 in the end closure wall is some what larger than the hole 24 in the end of the stem portion, and the nozzle unit 8 projects beyond the latter hole 24. The nozzle 8 is held upon the body 10 by the friction between the nozzle 8 and the defining walls of the smaller hole 24 at the end of the stem portion 12.

The narrow end of the stem portion is provided with a series of return feed holes 26 positioned at diiferent points around the stem portion and at a point where the inner wall surface of the stem portion is spaced from the nozzle 8 so that a clearance is provided for passage of fluid within the body 10 between the return feed openings 26 and the head portion 16 of the body. A dis charge spout or nipple 28 projects axially from the end closure wall 18 adjacent to the perimeter thereof and along the longitudinal axis of the oval-shaped perimeter thereof.

In accordance with the present invention, the end closure wall 18 of the body 10 is provided with a preferably elongated projecting portion 30 which extends transversely of and is centered along the above mentioned longitudinal axis. The elongated projecting portion 30 has a generally rectangular perimeter and is sufficiently narrow to fit comfortably between the first two fingers of an average adult womans hand when held in slightly spaced apart relation. The projecting portion 30 is spaced a sufficient distance from the perimeter of the head portion 16 so that the index finger which is on the outside of the projecting portion 31 rests fully against the end closure wall 18 at that point. With the construction just described, it is apparent that the discharge spout 28 and the elongated projecting portion 30 on opposite sides of the centered hole 22 are advantageously located so that the shell may be securely and comfortably held by placing the projecting portion 30 between the first two fingers and gripping the wide end of the stem 12 opposite 3 the projecting portion 30 with the thumb. Also, while the body 10 is being so held, the little finger may be positioned over the end of the discharge spout 28 so as to prevent discharge of fluid from the shell during the initial application of fluid to the vagina.

The manner in which the syringe assembly may be used as as follows:

A pinch clamp 32 of any suitable design is applied to the piece of rubber tubing 6 so as to prevent the flow of fluid from the bag 2 through the nozzle 3. The bag 2 is then filled with the desired liquid medicinal preparation to be sprayed into the vagina. The end of the nozzle 8 in the narrow end of the body 16 is then inserted into the vagina by the user while gripping the body in the manner above explained. The body is inserted into the vaginal canal a sufficient distance such that the return feed openings 26 are located within the canal. Then, after placement of the end of the little finger against the spout 28, the clamp 32 is released to discharge the fluid into the vagina through tube 6 and nozzle 8. To drain the fluid contents of the vagina, the user removes her little finger from the end of the discharge spout, whereupon the fluid is discharged from the vagina through the hollow body 10 via the discharge spout 28.

The elongated portion St in addition to serving as a convenient gripping surface, also serves in conjunction with the discharge spout 28 as a support for the body 10 during the glazing thereof. This may be accomplished by simply supporting the body 10 upon the projecting portion 30 and the discharge spout 28, with the narrow end of the stem 12 extending upwardly, as illustrated in Fig. 5.

It should be understood that numerous modifications may be made in the specific form of the invention shoum in the drawings and described above without deviating from the broader aspects of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a hollow body adapted for discharging fluid from the vaginal canal and including a stem portion at one end thereof to be inserted in said canal and an enlarged head portion at the other end which head portion has an end closure wall, said body having a cavity therein which communicates with the outside of the body through fluid return openings in said stem portion of the body and a discharge opening at the head portion thereof, the improvement comprising an elongated portion projecting from said end closure wall, the longitudinal axis thereof extending transversely of a line passing through said discharge opening and said elongated projection portion, said elongated portion being narrow so as to fit between the first two fingers of the users hand and being spaced from said discharge opening a distance which enables the placement of the little finger of said hand over said discharge opening while said elongated projecting portion is held between said first two fingers.

2. In a hollow body adapted for discharging fluid from the vaginal canal and including a stern portion at one end thereof to be inserted in said canal and an enlarged head portion at the other end which head portion has an end closure wall, said body having a cavity therein which communicates with the outside of the body through fluid return openings in said stem portion of the body and a discharge spout extending from said end closure wall, the improvement comprising an elongated portion projecting from said end closure wall, the longitudinal axis thereof extending transversely of a line passing through said discharge spout and said elongated projecting portion, and said elongated portion being narrow so as to fit between the first two fingers of the users hand and being spaced from said discharge spout a distance which enables the placement of the little finger of said hand over said discharge spout while said elongated projecting portion is held between said first two fingers.

3. In a hollow body adapted for discharging fluid from the vaginal canal and including a stern portion at one til end thereof to be inserted in said canal and an enlarged head portion at the other end which head portion has an end closure wall, said body having a cavity therein which communicates with the outside of the body through fluid return openings in said stem portion of the body and a discharge spout extending from said end closure wall, the improvement comprising an elongated portion projecting from said end closure wall, the longitudinal axis thereof extending transversely of a line passing through said discharge spout and said elongated projecting portion, said elongated portion being narrow so as to fit between the first two fingers of the users hand and being spaced from said discharge spout, and said elongated projecting portion and discharge spout forming support legs for the hollow body which supports the same with said stem portion thereof extending upwardly.

4. A hollow body adapted for discharging fluid from the vaginal canal and including a stem portion which terminates in a head portion having an end closure wall, said body having a cavity therein defined by said stem and head portions, aligned tube-receiving openings in the end of said stem portion and the central portion of said end closure wall which openings open onto said cavity and are adapted to receive a tubular liquid conveying means for feeding fluid to the vagina, fluid return openings near the end of said stem portion which open onto said cavity, a discharge spout extending from said end closure wall and communicating with said cavity, and an elongated portion projecting from said end closure wall on the side of the tube receiving opening therein opposite the side nearest said discharge spout, said elongated projecting portion extending transversely of a line extending therefrom and passing through said discharge spout and being narrow so as to fit between the first two fingers of the users hand.

5. A hollow body adapted for discharging fluid from the vaginal canal and including a stern portion which terminates in a head portion having an end closure wall, said body having a cavity therein defined by said stem and head portions, aligned tube-receiving openings in the end of said stem portion and the central portion of said end closure wall which openings open onto said cavity and are adapted to receive a tubular liquid conveying means for feeding fluid to the vagina, fluid return openings near the end of said stem portion which open onto said cavity, a discharge spout extending from said end closure wall and communicating with said cavity, and an elongated portion projecting a small distance from said end closure wall on the side of the tube receiving opening therein opposite the side nearest said discharge spout, said elongated projecting portion extending transversely of a line extending therefrom and passing through said discharge spout and being narrow so as to fit between the first two fingers of the users hand, the spacing between said elongated projecting portion and said discharge spout such that the little finger of said hand can be placed over said discharge spout while said elongated projecting portion is held between said first two fingers.

6. A hollow glazed ceramic body adapted for discharging fluid from the vaginal canal and including a stem portion which flares outwardly and terminates in a head portion having a curved end closure wall, said body having a cavity therein defined by said stem and head portions, aligned tube-receiving openings in the end of said stem portion and the central portion of said end closure wall which openings open onto said cavity and are adapted to receive a tubular liquid conveying means for feeding fluid to the vagina, fluid return openings near the end of said stem portion which open onto said cavity, a discharge spout extending from said end closure wall and communicating with said cavity, and an elongated portion projecting from said end closure wall on the side of the tube receiving opening therein opposite the side nearest said discharge spout and spaced from the adjacent perimeter of said head portion a distance which will accommodate the index finger of the users hand, said elongated projecting portion extending transversely of a line extending therefrom and passing through said discharge spout and being narrow so as to fit between the first two fingers of the users hand, the spacing between said elongated projecting portion and said spout being such that the little finger of said hand can be placed over said discharge spout while said elongated projecting portion is held between said first two fingers, and said elongated projecting portion and said discharge spout forming support legs which support the hollow body with the stem portion extending upwardly.

7. A hollow glazed ceramic body adapted for discharging fluid from the vaginal canal and including a tapered stem portion which flares outwardly and terminates in an oval shaped enlarged head portion having a curved end closure wall, said body having a cavity therein defined by said stem and head portions, aligned tube-receiving openings in the narrow end of said stem and the central portion of said end closure wall which openings open onto said cavity and are adapted to receive a tubular liquid conveying means for feeding fluid to the vagina, fluid return openings near the narrow end of said stern portion which open onto said cavity, a discharge spout extending from said end closure wall near the perimeter thereof and positioned along the longitudinal axis of the oval shaped head portion, said spout communicating with said cavity, and an elongated portion projecting a small distance from said end closure wall on the side of the tube receiving opening therein opposite the side nearest said discharge spout and spaced from the adjacent perimeter of said head portion a distance which will accommodate the index finger of the users hand, said elongated projecting portion extending transversely of a line extending therefrom and passing through said discharge spout and being narrow so as to fit between the first two fingers of the users hand, the spacing between said elongated projecting portion and said discharge spout being such that the little finger of said hand can be placed over said discharge spout while said elongated projecting portion is held between said first two fingers, and said elongated projecting portion and said discharge spout forming support legs which support the hollow body with the stem portion extending upwardly.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 31,634 Sterens Mar. 5, 1861 1,317,851 Arnett Oct. 7, 1919 FOREIGN PATENTS 269,910 France June 22, 1903 

